The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) paid tribute to slain youth leader Osman Hadi by observing a one-minute silence during the opening ceremony of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on Friday, marking a sombre start to the country’s flagship T20 tournament.
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The tribute was held at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, where players, officials, and spectators stood in silence to honour Hadi’s memory ahead of the first matches of the competition. The gesture reflected the cricket board’s acknowledgement of recent events that have deeply affected the nation.
Osman Hadi, a prominent youth leader and spokesperson for Inquilab Mancha, was shot in the Paltan area of Dhaka earlier this month. Following the attack, he was airlifted to Singapore General Hospital on December 15 for advanced medical treatment. Despite efforts by doctors, he succumbed to his injuries three days later, triggering widespread condemnation and grief across Bangladesh.
In the days following his death, the BCB expressed its condolences to Hadi’s family and supporters, and later confirmed that a formal tribute would be included in the BPL opening ceremony. The decision underscored the board’s intent to stand in solidarity with the public during a period of national mourning.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony, BCB director Iftekhar Rahman Mithu said it was important for the cricketing community to recognise what had taken place. “We will observe one minute of silence to pay our respects. It is important for us to acknowledge what has happened recently,” he stated.
The 2025 edition of the Bangladesh Premier League officially began on December 26, with a brief opening ceremony preceding the day’s action. Two matches were scheduled on the opening day at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, as fans returned their focus to cricket following the tribute.
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The moment of silence set a respectful tone for the tournament, highlighting how sport can serve as a platform for collective remembrance during times of loss.